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Customer & Contract Publishing

Customer publishing is the part of the industry most readers never think of as publishing. Membership magazines, airline and supermarket titles and the content agencies behind them reach millions of people, often with circulations that consumer titles would envy.

The purpose is different too. A membership magazine is usually there to keep members renewing, and a brand title has to show a return for the client paying for it. That creates a running question about independence, and the strongest titles tend to have an editorial identity of their own rather than sounding like the organisation behind them.

If there’s something customers don’t need more of today, it’s content.

Jackie Scully Customer media

The agencies have changed shape around this. They produce fewer print editions and more digital content, and put far more effort into distribution and income generation, while publishers' own branded content studios compete for the same budgets. Print still matters, though. Members continue to rank the magazine among the benefits they value most.

Below you'll find some of our best feature articles on customer and contract publishing, from membership magazines and in-flight titles to content agencies and branded content studios, alongside our latest news and industry commentary.


Essential Resources

Customer media
Best Practice in Publishing

Customer media

We asked Jackie Scully, managing director at Think, what does best practice publishing look like in customer media? This is what she said…

People, passions and places
INTERVIEW

People, passions and places

The National Trust is a treasure trove of historic and beautiful places, and, unsurprisingly, it has a huge membership. One of the benefits of membership is its highly regarded magazine…

The River Group
PUBLISHER PROFILE

The River Group

Content marketing is all the rage, and companies like River, that have been doing it for over twenty years, are highly expert at it. River CEO Nicola Murphy tells Jo Bowman that while quality content is the bedrock of the company, it’s the marketing

Membership publishers wrestle with content conundrum
RESEARCH

Membership publishers wrestle with content conundrum

Content has become mission-critical for many membership organisations. But, Mike Sewell asks, should this valuable asset be regarded as an exclusive member benefit, or used as a marketing tool?

Join the club
FEATURE

Join the club

Lots of publishers are now offering club style membership schemes, looking to generate extra revenue and deeper engagement. Dickon Ross looks at the membership model.

Customer media
The Digital Transformation Journey

Customer media

Ann Hartland, group business and strategy director, Cedar Communications, tells Ciar Byrne about how the customer media sector is managing the digital transformation journey.

Opportunities & Threats: Customer Media
FEATURE

Opportunities & Threats: Customer Media

What does the future hold for customer media? CPL One’s Sarah Simpson, looks ahead.

AOP CRUNCH: Driving growth through branded content
REVIEW

AOP CRUNCH: Driving growth through branded content

Spring hasn’t sprung until CRUNCH takes place, writes Richard Reeves, MD of the Association of Online Publishers, which recently held its first CRUNCH event of the year. The mood was suitably optimistic for a change of season.


All Articles

Some takeaways from the PPA Festival
COLUMN

Some takeaways from the PPA Festival

The PPA Festival featured over 37 sessions across four stages. James Evelegh picks out some takeaways from the ‘Big Picture’ stage.

By James Evelegh  |  08/05/2025

How publishers can make money from video
VIDEO

How publishers can make money from video

Making money from video is something many publishers are trying to do. Simon Elliott offers some insights and top tips into how this can be done.

06/05/2025

Air Business announces two appointments
News

Air Business announces two appointments

Air Business has made two appointments to its global event logistics team.

01/05/2025

AA and WARC release latest report
News

AA and WARC release latest report

According to the report, new forecasts show ad market set to reach £45.2bn in 2025 and £47.8bn in 2026.

01/05/2025

Digital Publishing Awards: shortlist announced
News

Digital Publishing Awards: shortlist announced

The Association of Online Publishers has announced the shortlist for the 2025 Digital Publishing Awards.

25/04/2025

Warners Midlands take delivery of new equipment
News

Warners Midlands take delivery of new equipment

The latest in a series of investments, Warners Midlands Printers has announced it has taken delivery of new automation equipment for its bindery as it increases the efficiency of its plant.

16/04/2025

The PPA Awards 2025: shortlist revealed
News

The PPA Awards 2025: shortlist revealed

The PPA Awards aims to champion businesses and individuals across the sector.

07/04/2025

Checkout / payment process
Subscriber Acquisition Special

Checkout / payment process

A successful checkout experience is one that evolves in response to real customer behaviour, says Jamie Nunn, head of products at CDS Global.

By Jamie Nunn  |  06/04/2025

The customer journey
Subscriber Acquisition Special

The customer journey

Identifying, mapping and optimising critical decision moments is also essential for driving conversions, says Damir Lutvic, VP, onboarding at Darwin CX.

By Damir Lutvic  |  06/04/2025

NMA: shortlist announced
News

NMA: shortlist announced

ACE has announced the shortlist for the Newspaper and Magazine Awards 2025.

04/04/2025

Bishops announces new print finishing investments
News

Bishops announces new print finishing investments

Portsmouth-based print and mailing specialist Bishops Printers is marking its 40 years in business with new investments in its print finishing department.

14/03/2025

Air Business partners with Hurricane Commerce
News

Air Business partners with Hurricane Commerce

Air Business’s global e-commerce logistics division partners with Hurricane Commerce to enhance cross-border trade solutions.

14/03/2025

IAB UK releases study results
News

IAB UK releases study results

IAB UK: The traditional marketing funnel will be obsolete in five years as channel definitions crumble.

05/03/2025

The future of magazine reading: why mobile optimisation is key
FEATURE

The future of magazine reading: why mobile optimisation is key

If your digital magazine is not a premium pleasurable reading experience on mobile, then it’s time to rethink your strategy, says eMagazines’ Blake Pollard.

By Blake Pollard  |  28/02/2025

Calling all tree huggers
FEATURE

Calling all tree huggers

The paper industry is not responsible for mass deforestation, says Denmaur’s Danny Doogan, and it’s important to put the record straight.

By Danny Doogan  |  28/02/2025

814 articles